She was born May 27, 1942, in Winding Gulf, W. Va., to the late Junior and Elnora Chambers Powell.

At an early age she joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Beckley, W. Va., and remained a member until her death. Joan had an unconditional love for children and devoted her life to providing social services to families in need throughout communities in West Virginia, New Jersey and North Carolina. The children and families that she nurtured and assisted are too numerous to list. Joan possessed a knowledge and passion for bowling and tennis that she passed along to her husband, family and community.

Joan graduated from Essex County College in Newark, N.J., where she received an associate business degree and also worked for Public Service Gas and Electric for more than 20 years. Moving to Henderson, she worked for the Vance County Social Services Department of Adult Medicaid as a supervisor.

Joan was also preceded in death by her three siblings, Mary, Eunice and James.

Survivors include her devoted husband of 46 years, Jerry Edmonds Jr.; one son, Jerry Edmonds III (Dorcel) of Milwaukee, Wis.; two grandchildren, Jerry Edmonds IV of Bowling Green, Ky., and Jerrica Edmonds of Memphis, Tenn.; two sisters, Lynda Powell Cole (David) of Dallas, Texas, and Deborah Powell Williams (Ray) of Grand Rapids, Mich.; three brothers, William Powell (Myrna) and Nathaniel Powell (Effie), both of Baltimore, Md., and Raymond Powell of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and one aunt, Beulah Chambers of Harrisburg, Pa.

The family will receive friends at Greater Faith Ministry on Thursday, Dec. 12, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Beckley, W. Va.

Viewing will be Thursday, Dec. 12, from noon to 4 p.m. at Davis-Royster Funeral Service.